answersLogoWhite

0

The funnel is a condensation cloud the develops in the core of a tornado and is usually the most distinct visible feature of the tornado. It is generally characterized by being wider at the top, where it connects to the cloud base, than at the bottom.

In the picture linked below, it is the narrow cone shape stretching from the clouds to the ground.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Physics

What has to happen to a funnel cloud to be classified as a tornado?

To be classified as a tornado, a funnel cloud must make contact with the ground. Once the funnel cloud touches the ground, it becomes a tornado and is classified based on its size, intensity, and associated damage.


How does a funnel in a tornado form?

A funnel cloud forms when a rotating column of air descends from a thunderstorm cloud but doesn't touch the ground. When the funnel cloud touches the ground, it becomes a tornado. The rotating air within the tornado causes it to appear as a funnel-shaped cloud.


What is the funnel of a tornado called?

tornado is often made visible by a distinctive funnel-shaped cloud. Commonly called the condensation funnel, the funnel cloud is a tapered column of water droplets that extends downward from the base of the parent cloud. It is commonly mixed with and perhaps enveloped by dust and debris lifted from the surface.


What is going on in the funnel of a tornado?

In the funnel of a tornado, intense updrafts draw air in and cause it to rotate rapidly. The rotating air may contain debris and dust, giving the funnel its characteristic appearance. Wind speeds can be extremely high and cause significant damage as the tornado moves across the ground.


Does a tornado make contact with the ground?

Yes. If a tornadic vortex does not make contact with the ground it does not meet the defintion of a tornado, and is simply called a funnel cloud. If the violent circulation (not necessarily the visible funnel) reaches the ground it is considered a tornado.

Related Questions

What type of cloud is in a tornado?

The cloud that forms the visible part of a tornado is called a funnel cloud.


Is the Seymour tornado a funnel tornado?

Not sure what you mean by a funnel tornado. If you are referring to the Seymour, Texas tornado of April 10, 1979, it had a well-defined funnel and it was funnel-shaped. However, it did touch down so it was not merely a funnel cloud.


What is the part of the tornado that touches the ground called?

A tornado that doesn't touch the ground isn't a tornado; it is a funnel cloud. However if the funnel is pulling debris off the ground or making some other type of contact with the ground it is a tornado.


When the tip of the funnel cloud touches the ground it becomes a?

tornado clouds


What do you call a tornado that does not touch the ground?

A tornado that does not touch the ground is a funnel cloud.


What is the top part of a tornado called?

The top part of a tornado is called "the top"


Is a funnel cloud a tornado?

Not technically. It is the beginning of a tornado, but they are categorized differently. It is not considered a tornado until it reaches the ground with damaging winds.


What is a name for a funnel cloud touching the ground?

A funnel cloud that touches the ground is commonly known as a tornado.


What is the relationship between a funnel cloud and a tornado?

A funnel cloud is a developing tornado that has not reached the ground.


How is a tornado different from a funnel cloud?

A funnel cloud is like a tornado only it does not reach the ground.


A tornado starts out as a what?

A tornado starts out as a funnel cloud.


Where is the eye of the tornado?

The "eye" of a tornado is at the center of the funnel.